PM Modi's 'Mann ki Baat 2.0' strikes on nation's water conservation and evokes fighters of Emergency

New Delhi, June 30: After a nagging feeling of a kind of emptiness for a long, finally we heard today Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing radio programme Mann Ki Baat almost a month after he returned to power. This was the first Mann ki Baat programme in his second consecutive term as the Prime Minister.

PM Modi started saying, “After a rather long pause, we are resuming once again, our series of touching upon matters close to people and their hearts; in fact subjects close to every person’s heart… I am once again amidst you with our ‘Mann Ki Baat’. The rigors of Elections called for hectic preoccupation, but the one thing that was missing was the sheer joy of ‘Mann Ki Baat.’ Begetting a new spirit, in a way fortifying the spirit of New India, let us wish this endeavour embarks upon its onward journey.”

PM Modi also said, “Mann Ki Baat is enriched by many letters and mails that come. But, these are not ordinary letters.If people share their problems, they also share ways to overcome those problems be it lack of cleanliness or aspects like environmental degradation.”

Talking on the many people asking a flurry of questions on why PM Modi had gone up to Kedarnath, he said, “Most people have derived political conclusions out of that. For me, it was an opportunity to meet myself. In a way, I undertook the journey to meet my inner self.”

Further speaking on his return to power, PM Modi said, “The confidence was not Modi’s. This trust was the trust of your foundation. You were the ones who transformed yourself into a pillar of trust. And that is why in the last episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’, then, I effortlessly said that I would be back after a few months. Actually speaking, I have not RETURNED; you brought me back; you positioned me here and gave me the opportunity to speak once again. With this sentiment, come; let’s take ‘Mann Ki Baat’ forward.”

Turning the pages of black spot in Indian History, PM Modi said, “When Emergency was imposed on the country, resistance against it was not limited to the political arena or politicians; the movement was not curtailed to the confines of prison cells. There was an outrage in the conscience of one and all. The collective torment on the loss of democracy was evident. Day and night, when one gets to eat food on time, one doesn’t realize what hunger pangs are. Similarly, in day to day life, it is difficult to savour the joy of democratic rights, unless they are snatched away. During Emergency, every citizen of the country had started getting the feeling that something that belonged to him had been snatched away. If what was snatched had never been enjoyed by that person, ever, it had to eventually precipitate into a painful inner agony. And it was not just on account of the fact that the constitution of India has made certain provisions that enabled Democracy to blossom. Of course, in order to ensure smooth conduct of the social order, a constitution is required… laws & rules are necessary, rights and duties should be part of the due discourse. But, India can proudly proclaim that for us, beyond laws & rules, Democracy is embedded in our sanskar; Democracy is our culture.”

Also, Prime Minister Modi called upon people to start a mass movement for water conservation and resolve to save every drop of water amidst water scarcity in several parts of the country. He said an awareness campaign should be started which should not only focus on water-related problems but also propagate ways to save water.

Prime Minister Modi also requested the people to share traditional methods that have been in use over the centuries for the conservation of water. He asked the people to pay a visit to Porbandar to see a 200-year-old water tank which is still capable of storing water and has a mechanism to harvest rainwater.

PM Modi also requested the people to share the information concerning people who are making significant contributions towards water conservation. He urged people to use #JanShakti4JalShakti hashtag to share their content on the matter.

PM Modi asserted that I wrote a letter to the Sarpanchs and Gram Pradhans across the country. That in order to save water, to collect water, to save the very drops of the rainwater, they should convene a meeting of the Gram Sabha and sit and discuss the resolution to this problem with the villagers. I am happy that they have shown exemplary enthusiasm on this front and on 22nd of this month crores of people contributed free labour, Shramdaan across thousands of panchayats. People in village after village resolved to accumulate every single drop of rainwater.

Listing the initiatives taken by the people for water conservation in many parts of the country, the Prime Minister said there cannot be a single formula for dealing with water crisis throughout the country. He said, water scarcity affects many parts of the country every year and it is surprising that only eight percent of rainwater is harvested.

Keeping the importance of water in mind, PM Modi added that a new Jal Shakti ministry has been created in the country to allow faster decision-making on all subjects related to water. He said he wrote letters to all the Sarpanchs and Gram Pradhans asking them to convene a meeting of the Gram Sabhas and discuss the solution to water problem with the villagers.

Saying that water is of great importance in Indian culture, Prime Minister quoted Rigveda's Apah Suktam.

Talking about International Day of Yoga which was celebrated recently, Prime Minister Modi said awareness about Holistic Health Care has enhanced the glory of Yoga. He highlighted that Yoga has assumed such an iconic form that over the Himalayas, across the Indian Ocean, from air-force to aircraft carriers, from air-conditioned gyms to hot desert and from villages to cities - yoga was not just practised but also celebrated collectively.

“My dear countrymen, you may often have heard me say “No bouquet, just a book”! I had urged all to choose books over flowers in welcome or felicitation ceremonies. Since then, people have been offering books at many a place. Just recently, someone gave me a book entitled ‘Premchand Ki Lokapriya Kahaniyan’, popular short stories by Premchand. It was a great feeling,” PM Modi added.

PM Modi said, “In today's digital world and in the time of Google Guru, to take some time out from your daily routine and devote it to the book. You will really enjoy it a lot and do write about whichever book you read on the Narendra Modi App so that all the listeners of Mann Ki Baat' also get to know about it.”

Lastly, PM Modi concluded saying, “My dear countrymen, we’re embarking on a new journey from today armed with new emotions, new realizations, new resolve and renewed vigour. But yes! I will keep on waiting for your suggestions. The process of linking with your thoughts through ‘Mann Ki Baat’ as a medium is a very important and personal journey for me. Let us keep on meeting and keep on talking. Let me keep on listening to your thoughts, let me keep on understanding and cherish them. Let me sometimes try to live those very emotions. May your blessings remain there for me! You are my inspiration and you are my energy! Let's sit together and while enjoying ‘Mann Ki Baat’ try to fulfill the responsibilities of life. Once again next month we will meet again for another episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’. I thank all of you once again.”